Fine lines and wrinkles are an unavoidable part of life. Everyone gets them when they get older! It doesn’t matter what your skin type, gender, or ethnicity is; aging is inevitable.
Sometimes, those lines come on a little too soon…but don’t worry! There are steps you can take to protect your skin before those lines show up or smooth things out afterward.
In this post, we’ll show you how to treat and prevent wrinkles so you can look your best!
What Are Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
Fine lines and wrinkles are the lines and creases that develop in your skin over time. They can form through a variety of factors.
Age is one of the most significant causes, partly because your exposure to the sun builds up over time.
As you get older, your skin loses some of its elasticity and becomes more fragile. Your body produces less of the natural oils your skin needs, which can make it look dry and wrinkled. You also tend to lose fat from your face as you age, which can cause noticeable lines and sagging.
There are two categories of wrinkles you should be aware of: dynamic and static wrinkles.
Dynamic wrinkles appear when you repeat facial movements, like a smile or squint. They tend to disappear when your expression changes.
To understand dynamic wrinkles, imagine your skin is a piece of paper. When you fold it frequently, creases develop along the fold lines!
Static wrinkles, however, stay put no matter what your face is doing. For a variety of reasons, these wrinkles can form and deepen.
Over time, dynamic wrinkles tend to settle into static wrinkles—which leaves you with lasting lines.
What Causes Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
Fine lines and wrinkles have many different causes that vary from person to person. They can come from spending too much time in the sun, tobacco use, or naturally from aging.
All of those factors contribute to loss of skin elasticity, epidermal thinning, and fragility, which creases your skin.
Some causes of fine lines and wrinkles are out of your hands, like aging. But others, you can control!
For example, wearing sunscreen when you’re outside helps reduce your skin’s exposure to UV light. Without sunscreen, the sun’s UV light breaks down your skin’s connective tissues over time.
Protecting these tissues, like collagen and elastin fibers, helps prevent premature sagging and wrinkling. That’s why wearing sunscreen every day is one of the best things you can do for your skin!
Smoking is another danger to smooth skin. Studies have shown that smokers are more than twice as likely to experience moderate to severe wrinkles. If taking care of your skin and avoiding fine lines and wrinkles is your priority, don’t smoke.
Types of Fine Lines and Wrinkles You Might Experience
You can develop fine lines and wrinkles anywhere on your body, but your face is the most likely spot. Your face has 42 individual muscles that are always in motion. Plus, your face is exposed to more sunlight over your lifetime than anywhere else!
Especially on your face, there are a few types of fine lines and wrinkles you might deal with. Here are four of the most common types.
Crow’s Feet
Many women (and men!) spot crow’s feet when they get older. Approximately 84% of women report noticing crow’s feet developing before any other fine lines and wrinkles.
The skin around your eyes is thinner than anywhere else on your body. It doesn’t have as much collagen and elastin to protect you from wrinkles.
But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing!
Unlike other types of wrinkles, crow’s feet are associated with joy! Having deep crow’s feet is a good predictor of how people perceive you. Since they form when you smile, they might signify that you’ve experienced a really happy life.
The Elevens (AKA Glabellar Lines)
The elevens are those two vertical lines that form between your eyebrow and look like—you guessed it—an eleven.
They’re typically caused by repeatedly furrowing your brows throughout your life. This type is a great example of dynamic wrinkles!
Laugh Lines
Contrary to the name, laugh lines aren’t likely to develop solely from a lifetime of laughter.
Laugh lines are two nasolabial folds, or creases, that stretch between your nose and the corners of your mouth. They tend to come from losing subcutaneous fat as you age. This causes your skin to sag and creases to develop.
Forehead Lines
Forehead lines are those horizontal lines that crease your forehead. They’re typically caused by raising your eyebrows repeatedly.
You might be wondering, “How deep will my forehead lines get?”
That depends on your genetics and your lifestyle. People who choose not to wear sunscreen, for example, will tend to develop deeper-set forehead lines.
How to Treat Fine Lines and Wrinkles At Home
Guess what? You don’t have to suffer from fine lines and wrinkles forever!
Deep-set wrinkles are unlikely to disappear entirely, but you can diminish their appearance with the right products. Here’s how we recommend treating wrinkles.
Use Retinoids
Retinoids (like the HD Vibrant Retinol Advanced) are one of the best tools for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. This vitamin A derivative stimulates the cells to turn over more quickly and boosts collagen production.
Retinoids are the general term for all of these derivatives, including retinol, which is available over the counter.
These products don’t just reduce wrinkles, though! They also soften your skin, even out its texture, and can even fade dark spots.
The downside is that retinoids can potentially irritate your skin, especially if overused. Start by using your retinoid of choice just twice a week, followed immediately by a moisturizer. Slowly adding retinol to your routine will help you avoid any redness, flaking, or irritation.
Add a Good Sunscreen
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again! Don’t forget sunscreen.
UV rays are the biggest culprit when it comes to causing fine lines and wrinkles. If you’re at all interested in skincare (and we’re guessing you are), sunscreen is non-negotiable. When you protect your skin from UV rays, you prevent new wrinkles and stop existing wrinkles from getting worse.
Related: What are the New SPF Rules and How Will it Affect Me?
Try Products With Antioxidants
Antioxidants are another line of defense in your fight against wrinkles. They include vitamin C, niacinamide, and resveratrol.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which damage your skin cells, and increase collagen production for boosted elasticity. For extra skin protection, add an anti-oxidant serum to your routine (we recommend the HD Total Antioxidant Serum).
Apply the serum after you cleanse. Wait five minutes before moving onto the next step, like sunscreen! This lets you avoid diluting the serum’s formula.
Incorporate Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) increase your cells’ turnover and boost the production of collagen.
Over time, these effects reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. AHAs, including glycolic, citric, and lactic acid, are easy to find in over-the-counter cleansers and peels.
Glycolic acid is popular because it has the smallest molecules of the AHAs, meaning it penetrates the skin most easily. However, if you have sensitive skin, that easy penetration can cause irritation. Citric and lactic acid are both milder alternatives.
If you’re looking for a higher concentration, you can get a chemical peel from a professional!
Fine lines and wrinkles aren’t a bad thing, but that doesn’t mean you have to let them go unchecked. By taking a few easy steps (and investing in some quality products), you can slow the effects of aging.
What products do you use at home to minimize fine lines and wrinkles?
